Rhone-Alpes Entreprise International

Key Competitive Attractions

ERAI (Entreprise Rhône-Alpes International) was formed in 1987 by the Rhône-Alpes Regional Council to deliver the Region`s international economic development and attract foreign investment.

The Rhône-Alpes region enjoys of wealth of benefits:

• France's second largest economy
• Population of 6 million people 
• Out of the 450 American companies located in Rhone-Alpes, 2/3 are headquarters
• Access to a labour force of 12 million within a radius of 130 miles
• GDP: €173 billion in 2009
• Strategic location along Europe's major north-south and east-west economic corridors 
• Close collaboration with three bordering nations: Italy, Germany and Switzerland
• 350,000 companies including 4,650 foreign firms
• Excellent logistics post
• Situated in a central position in Europe's high-speed train network
• Excellent highway networks providing easy access to Europe
• Close proximity to the International Airports of Lyon and Geneva
• Rhone River runs directly into the Mediterranean sea

The ERAI has the following achievements each year:

• 3,000 business leaders in Rhone-Alpes met by our country experts
• 650 individual export service missions executed by our locations in the world
• 320 companies advised in terms of international financing
• More than 3,500 foreign decision makers met concerning their projects to locate in Rhone-Alpes
• 25,000 business contacts prospected worldwide

Assistance and Support For New Business Investors

We offer the following services:

• Introduction to targeted business networks
• Connection to legal and financial experts
• Selection of available premises and organization of on-site visits
• Connection with private and public organizations
• Introduction to research and development centres
• Organsation of meetings with the main actors of the region